512-350 Brain, Cognition and Behaviour 3

Credit Points

HECS Band

Coordinator

Prerequisites

512-222 or 512-224 (or equivalent)

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

This subject comprises three units. Only two units will be offered in any one year.

Cognitive neuropsychology: cognitive neuropsychologists attempt to understand normal cognitive processes by examining the different ways that these processes can be impaired following brain injury. This unit will examine how the cognitive neuropsychological approach has been used to develop and modify models of cognitive processing in a range of domains, including attention, object recognition, face recognition, reading, writing and memory. Case study data will be drawn from extensively and students will observe videos of subjects with particular patterns of neuropsychological impairment.

Laterality, brain and behaviour will introduce some of the issues associated with human laterality research. Laterality will be discussed in relation to asymmetries in lateral preference (handedness) and functional asymmetries between the cerebral hemispheres. The aim of the unit is to familiarise students with neuropsychological research and to provide an insight into the functional properties of the two cerebral hemispheres and how these relate to behaviour. A number of different topics will be covered including the evolution of laterality in humans; laterality in other species; measuring lateral preference; the causes and development of handedness; handedness and its relation to other psychological functions; methods of research into cerebral laterality; clinical research; cerebral asymmetries for language and spatial processing; alternative descriptions of cerebral laterality; and attention and laterality.

Human amnesia: neuroimaging and clinical perspectives (not offered in 2001): The human memory system has been studied at a number of levels, including gross anatomy, cellular physiology, neuropathology, and neuropsychology. This unit aims to integrate information at these various levels by examining, among other things, the contributions of structural and functional neuroimaging, connectionist modelling, and clinical case studies. The unit aims to provide students with an in-depth appreciation of the human memory system, and a framework for evaluating the contribution of recent neuroscientific advances to our knowledge of human memory disorders.

Assessment

A combination of laboratory reports and examinations, with the laboratory reports being weighted at least 40% of the total assessment.

Attendance at 80% or more of the laboratory classes is a hurdle requirement. (In case of failure to meet the hurdle requirement, additional work will be required before a passing grade can be awarded.)